Languages

English, French, Finnish

Isabella Aro

Senior Associate Tax

Languages

English, French, Finnish

Isabella advises clients on a broad range of domestic and international tax matters. Her practice focuses on transactional tax advisory and tax litigation proceedings. She frequently assists clients in tax structuring, including related advance proceedings and other implementation assistance. She has experience in transactions and corporate reorganisations involving complex cross-border tax elements.

In addition, Isabella supports clients in ESG and other compliance-related assignments in the field of taxation. She assists clients in regulatory investigations and provides advice for identifying responsible tax principles, tax incentives, and tax risks relating to clients’ business operations.

Selected References

Parties:

Evac Group, Altor Equity Partners

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman is advising the Management of Evac in the Sale of Evac Group to Altor Equity Partners. Evac Group is a global leader in integrated water, waste and wastewater management solutions, as well as corrosion protection and marine growth prevention systems, for the marine, offshore and land-based construction industries. The transaction is expected to close within the first half of 2026.

Value:

Not public

Role:

Counsel to the Management of Evac

Contacts

  • Riikka Rannikko

    Partner +358 40 731 1611 riikka.rannikko@hannessnellman.com

  • Emmi Kantola

    Managing Associate +358 40 086 5252 emmi.kantola@hannessnellman.com

  • Joakim Frände

    Specialist Partner + 358 40 652 7055 joakim.frande@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

Parties:

AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd., Dispelix Oy

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman is advising AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd., a world-leading smart device solution provider, in its acquisition of the shares and other equity securities in Dispelix Oy, a technology leader in diffractive waveguide displays for augmented reality (AR). The transaction is expected to close within the first half of 2026 and upon completion Dispelix will become a subsidiary of AAC.

Value:

Not public

Role:

Counsel to AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.

Contacts

Parties:

Talenom Plc, Easor

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman is advising Talenom Plc in the separation of its Easor software business into an independent publicly listed company by way of a partial demerger. The current Talenom would retain its accounting business area in the transaction.

Value:

Not public.

Role:

Counsel to Talenom Plc

Contacts

Parties:

Valmet Automotive, the Finnish State, Pontos Group, Finnish Minerals Group, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman advised Valmet Automotive in its comprehensive ownership and financing arrangement whereby the Finnish State becomes Valmet Automotive’s majority owner, with Pontos Group continuing as a minority owner, and in which Valmet Automotive’s IONCOR sub-group was divested to Finnish Minerals Group, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, and Pontos Group.

Value:

Not public

Role:

Counsel to Valmet Automotive

Contacts

Parties:

DayOne

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman advised DayOne, a Singapore-based global data center developer and operator, on the development of a state-of-the-art hyperscale data center campus in Lahti, Finland. The aggregate investment is projected to amount to EUR 1.2 billion.

With a total potential capacity of 128 MW IT load, the project comprises a first building of 50 MW IT load. DayOne is also entering into a Growth Partnership Agreement with Lahti underscoring its long-term commitment to Finland’s digital and economic development.

Value:

EUR 1.2 billion

Role:

Counsel to DayOne

Contacts

Parties:

DevCo Partners, Vexve

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman advised DevCo Partners in EUR 521 million single-asset continuation fund transaction to support the next growth chapter of Vexve, a European leader in mission-critical valve solutions for energy infrastructure. The transaction provides DevCo with significant additional capital for the continued support of the long-term growth of Vexve within the accelerating energy transition space.

Deal Value:

EUR 521 million

Role:

Counsel to DevCo Partners

Contacts

  • Thomas Landell

    Partner +358 40 777 1600 thomas.landell@hannessnellman.com

  • Erik Stenman

    Partner +358 50 586 8065 erik.stenman@hannessnellman.com

  • Henri Ruotsalainen

    Specialist Partner +358 40 842 3687 henri.ruotsalainen@hannessnellman.com

  • Emmi Kantola

    Managing Associate +358 40 086 5252 emmi.kantola@hannessnellman.com

  • Noora Christiansen

    Senior Associate +358 50 527 8145 noora.christiansen@hannessnellman.com

  • Sofia Oesch

    Senior Associate +358 40 747 4193 sofia.oesch@hannessnellman.com

  • Julia Tabell

    Associate +358 45 234 5697 julia.tabell@hannessnellman.com

  • Johan Kontio

    Associate +358 44 505 1126 johan.kontio@hannessnellman.com

  • Heikki Vesikansa

    Partner +358 40 844 2117 heikki.vesikansa@hannessnellman.com

  • Piia Ahonen

    Specialist Partner + 358 44 520 8801 piia.ahonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Stefan Stellato

    Partner +358 50 356 5566 stefan.stellato@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

  • Sofia Ropo

    Senior Associate +358 40 545 2866 sofia.ropo@hannessnellman.com

  • Kerttu Kaksonen

    Associate +358 40 587 6956 kerttu.kaksonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Annika Sillanpää

    Associate +358 40 662 3038 annika.sillanpaa@hannessnellman.com

  • Markus Bremer

    Partner +358 40 716 9676 markus.bremer@hannessnellman.com

  • Pauliina Sutinen

    Managing Associate +358 50 346 5280 pauliina.sutinen@hannessnellman.com

  • Emma Ahonen

    Associate +358 40 194 9396 emma.ahonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Anniina Laakso

    Legal Assistant +358 40 828 4068 anniina.laakso@hannessnellman.com

Parties

AMF Tjänstepension AB, Mercada Oy

Transaction

Hannes Snellman advised AMF Tjänstepension AB in the disposal of its 33.3% stake in Mercada Oy, a joint venture formed by AMF, Ilmarinen Mutual Mutual Pension insurance Company and Kesko in 2015. Mercada owns 35 properties with 290,000 square meters of leasable area, consisting mainly of grocery stores with Kesko as a tenant, as well as two large shopping centers.

Deal Value

Not public

Role

Counsel to AMF Tjänstepension AB in the disposal of its 33.3% stake in Mercada Oy

Contacts

  • Tapio Teräkivi

    Senior Partner +358 40 769 8273 tapio.terakivi@hannessnellman.com

  • Lisa Tihlman

    Senior Associate +358 40 079 9382 lisa.tihlman@hannessnellman.com

  • Pauliina Sutinen

    Managing Associate +358 50 346 5280 pauliina.sutinen@hannessnellman.com

  • Tuomas Koivuniemi

    Specialist Partner +358 45 690 9454 tuomas.koivuniemi@hannessnellman.com

  • Essi Peltoniemi

    Associate +358 45 155 1111 essi.peltoniemi@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

  • Jenni Parviainen

    Counsel +358 40 808 6523 jenni.parviainen@hannessnellman.com

  • Mikael Wood

    Senior Associate +358 45 7833 4708 mikael.wood@hannessnellman.com

Parties:

Cushman & Wakefield, REnium Advisors Oy

Transaction:

Cushman & Wakefield's acquisition of REnium Advisors Oy

Deal value: 

Value not public

Role:

Counsel to Cushman & Wakefield

Contacts

Parties:

Vitec Software Group AB (publ), Roidu Oy

Transaction:

Vitec’s agreement to acquire all shares in the Finnish software company Roidu Oy

Deal value: 

Value not public

Role:

Counsel to Vitec Software Group AB (publ)

Contacts

Parties

Sampo plc and Topdanmark A/S

Transaction

Sampo plc's recommended public exchange offer for the shares in Topdanmark A/S

Deal Value

DKK 33 billion

Role

Counsel to Sampo plc

Contacts

Parties

Cargotec Corporation and Kalmar Corporation

Transaction

Cargotec’s partial demerger and separation of Kalmar

Deal Value

Approx. EUR 2.0 billion (illustrative carve-out sales)

Role

Counsel to Cargotec Corporation and Kalmar Corporation

Contacts

Counsel a real estate company in a case regarding the VAT deduction of real estate investments. The Finnish Tax Administration had not accepted the VAT deductions made by the company because it had found that the premises were used for both VAT taxable and VAT exempt activities. In the case, it was evaluated from the VAT perspective how the leasing area can be determined per floor of the building while also considering how the premises are described in the articles of association.

Assisted by Hannes Snellman's tax team, the company appealed the Tax Administration’s decision to the Administrative Court and was able to prove that the premises were mostly used for purposes entitling to a VAT deduction, wherefore the company had had the right to deduct the VAT of the costs related to these premises that were used for VATable purposes. The company won the case in the Administrative Court, after which Hannes Snellman assisted the company with the preparation of corrective VAT returns and the refund of VAT that had been groundlessly left unrefunded.

 

Contacts

  • Piia Ahonen

    Specialist Partner + 358 44 520 8801 piia.ahonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Marika Sorsa

    Counsel +358 40 707 1441 marika.sorsa@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

Parties:

SULO Group, (Buyer), Molok Group Oy (Target)

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman counsel to SULO Group, a global waste management leader, in its acquisition of Molok Group Oy from Vaaka Partners.

Deal value: 

Value not public

Role:

Counsel to SULO Group

Contacts

  • Rabbe Sittnikow

    Partner +358 40 544 5280 rabbe.sittnikow@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

Parties:

OP Suomi Infra Ky, (investor), Aurora Infrastructure (target), Equitix (majority owner)

Transaction:

Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to OP Suomi Infra Ky in their minority investment in Aurora Infrastructure

Deal value: 

Value not public

Role:

Counsel to OP Suomi Infra Ky

Contacts

Parties:

United Bankers’ UB Timberland Fund (AIF), Taaleri Forest Fund III LP

Transaction:

United Bankers’ UB Timberland Fund (AIF) agreed to acquire Taaleri Forest Fund III LP. The forests managed by Taaleri Forest Fund III comprise 19 forest properties covering in total a surface area of approximately 7,650 hectares of which more than 6,400 hectares is productive forest land.

Deal value: 

Value not public

Role:

Counsel to United Bankers’ UB Timberland Fund (AIF)

Contacts

Parties:

Uponor Corporation (target), Georg Fischer Ltd (buyer)

Transaction: 

Counsel to Uponor Corporation in the recommended public cash tender offer by Georg Fischer Ltd to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of Uponor Corporation. 

Value:

EUR 2.1 billion

Role:

Counsel to Uponor Corporation

Contacts

Parties:

Myrsky Energia, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP)

Transaction: 

Counsel to Myrsky Energia in the formation of a joint venture with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) concerning the investment and development of 1.8 GW portfolio of onshore wind power in Finland.

Value:

EUR 2.3 billion

Role:

Counsel to Myrsky Energia

Contacts

Parties: 

Rebellion, Vihtan Oy

Transaction:

The acquisition of Vihtan Oy, a leading manufacturer of shower screens and glass doors, marked Rebellion’s establishment in Finland.

Deal Value:

Value not public

Role:

Counsel to Rebellion

Contacts

Parties

Orange Capital Partners (Buyer), Starwood Capital Group and Avara Oy (Sellers)

Transaction

Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to Orange Capital Partners in the acquisition of a residential portfolio of 2,200 apartments located across 16 cities from Starwood Capital Group and Avara Oy

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Orange Capital Partners

Contacts

  • Tapio Teräkivi

    Senior Partner +358 40 769 8273 tapio.terakivi@hannessnellman.com

  • Heikki Vesikansa

    Partner +358 40 844 2117 heikki.vesikansa@hannessnellman.com

  • Antti Nyberg

    Partner +358 40 838 9375 antti.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

  • Tuomas Koivuniemi

    Specialist Partner +358 45 690 9454 tuomas.koivuniemi@hannessnellman.com

  • Jenni Parviainen

    Counsel +358 40 808 6523 jenni.parviainen@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

  • Noora Christiansen

    Senior Associate +358 50 527 8145 noora.christiansen@hannessnellman.com

  • Mikael Wood

    Senior Associate +358 45 7833 4708 mikael.wood@hannessnellman.com

  • Sofia Ropo

    Senior Associate +358 40 545 2866 sofia.ropo@hannessnellman.com

  • Rauli Elenius

    Senior Associate +358 41 432 6777 rauli.elenius@hannessnellman.com

  • Alisa Ainonen

    Associate +358 50 495 6363 alisa.ainonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Essi Peltoniemi

    Associate +358 45 155 1111 essi.peltoniemi@hannessnellman.com

  • Anniina Somppi

    Senior Associate +358 40 641 3353 anniina.somppi@hannessnellman.com

  • Viivi Vikberg

    Senior Associate +358 50 596 8551 viivi.vikberg@hannessnellman.com

  • Victoria Reiter

    Legal Assistant +358 40 546 7682 victoria.reiter@hannessnellman.com

  • Vivi Jaatinen

    Legal Assistant +358 40 821 5939 vivi.jaatinen@hannessnellman.com

  • Salla Mäki

    Billing and Collections Assistant +358 40 718 6808 salla.maki@hannessnellman.com

Parties 

Slättö Core Plus and PEAB

Transaction 

Hannes Snellman acted as counsel to Slättö in the formation of a joint venture with PEAB regarding investments into residential housing in Finland.

Deal Value 

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Slättö Core Plus

Contacts

Parties

Paulig Group (seller), Valio (buyer), Gold&Green brand, intellectual property and R&D function (target)

Transaction

The divestment of Paulig’s Gold&Green brand, intellectual property and R&D function to Valio

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Paulig Group

Contacts

Parties

Orange Capital Partners and another global investor (Buyers), Morgan Stanley (Seller)

Transaction

Orange Capital Partners' and another global investor's acquisition of a residential portfolio with 37 assets and 1,900 apartments from Morgan Stanley

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Orange Capital Partners and another global investor

Contacts

  • Tapio Teräkivi

    Senior Partner +358 40 769 8273 tapio.terakivi@hannessnellman.com

  • Heikki Vesikansa

    Partner +358 40 844 2117 heikki.vesikansa@hannessnellman.com

  • Marjaana Martikainen

    Counsel +358 40 844 0174 marjaana.martikainen@hannessnellman.com

  • Jenni Parviainen

    Counsel +358 40 808 6523 jenni.parviainen@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

  • Noora Christiansen

    Senior Associate +358 50 527 8145 noora.christiansen@hannessnellman.com

  • Marika Sorsa

    Counsel +358 40 707 1441 marika.sorsa@hannessnellman.com

  • Minna Juhola

    Counsel +358 40 557 1210 minna.juhola@hannessnellman.com

  • Mikael Wood

    Senior Associate +358 45 7833 4708 mikael.wood@hannessnellman.com

  • Sofia Ropo

    Senior Associate +358 40 545 2866 sofia.ropo@hannessnellman.com

  • Julia Ranta

    Senior Associate +358 50 468 8309 julia.ranta@hannessnellman.com

  • Anniina Somppi

    Senior Associate +358 40 641 3353 anniina.somppi@hannessnellman.com

  • Salla Mäki

    Billing and Collections Assistant +358 40 718 6808 salla.maki@hannessnellman.com

Parties

Smartly.io (Buyer), Ad-Lib.io (Target) and various sellers

Transaction

Acquisition of Ad-Lib.io, the next-generation creative optimization platform, by Smartly.io, the leading social advertising SaaS platform for creative and performance marketers.

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Finnish counsel to Smartly.io

Contacts

  • Emmi Kantola

    Managing Associate +358 40 086 5252 emmi.kantola@hannessnellman.com

  • Heikki Vesikansa

    Partner +358 40 844 2117 heikki.vesikansa@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

Parties 

Virala Acquisition Company Plc, Purmo Group Ltd

Transaction 

Virala Acquisition Company Plc's merger with Purmo Group Ltd.

Deal Value 

EUR 685 million

Role

Counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc

Contacts

Parties 

Quadoro Investment GmbH, YIT Construction Ltd.

Transaction 

Counsel to a fund managed by Quadoro Investment GmbH in an acquisition of a MEUR 32 office property located in Järvenpää with a lettable area of approximately 6,500 square metres from YIT Construction Ltd

Deal Value 

EUR 32 million

Role

Counsel to Quadoro Investment GmbH

Contacts

Parties 

Quadoro Investment GmbH, EKE-Construction Ltd.

Transaction 

Counsel to a fund managed by Quadoro Investment GmbH in an acquisition of an office property located in Espoo with a lettable area of approximately 4,200 square metres from the constructor EKE-Construction Ltd.

Deal Value 

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Quadoro Investment GmbH

Contacts

Parties

Virala Acquisition Company Plc

Transaction

Hannes Snellman acted as legal counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc on its IPO and the listing of its Class C shares on the SPAC segment of the regulated market of Nasdaq Helsinki

Deal Value

EUR 107.5 million

Role

Counsel to Virala Acquisition Company Plc

Contacts

  • Sonja Siggberg

    Partner +358 40 837 6967 sonja.siggberg@hannessnellman.com

  • Anniina Järvinen

    Partner +358 50 377 1177 anniina.jarvinen@hannessnellman.com

  • Sofi Lehtinen

    Senior Associate +358 40 620 7199 sofi.lehtinen@hannessnellman.com

  • Linnea Lehtonen

    Senior Associate +358 50 352 4855 linnea.lehtonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Annemari Rosi

    Senior Associate +358 40 573 5304 annemari.rosi@hannessnellman.com

  • Aki Salmela

    Senior Associate +358 50 307 9056 aki.salmela@hannessnellman.com

  • Heikki Vesikansa

    Partner +358 40 844 2117 heikki.vesikansa@hannessnellman.com

  • Stefan Stellato

    Partner +358 50 356 5566 stefan.stellato@hannessnellman.com

  • Isabella Aro

    Senior Associate +358 44 514 3829 isabella.aro@hannessnellman.com

  • Piia Ahonen

    Specialist Partner + 358 44 520 8801 piia.ahonen@hannessnellman.com

  • Marika Sorsa

    Counsel +358 40 707 1441 marika.sorsa@hannessnellman.com

  • Antti Nyberg

    Partner +358 40 838 9375 antti.nyberg@hannessnellman.com

Parties

Altia Plc, Arcus ASA

Transaction

Merger of Altia Plc and Arcus ASA to form Anora Group

Deal value

Preliminary aggregated annual revenue EUR 640 million

Role

Lead counsel to Altia Plc

Contacts

Rankings

  • “Rising Star” in Transactional Tax, ITR World Tax, 2026

Memberships and Positions of Trust

  • Member of the Finnish Bar Association
  • Member of the International Fiscal Association (IFA)
  • Finnish Representative of Young IFA Network, 2023–
  • Member of the Association for Finnish Tax Professionals
  • Committee Member in CFE Tax Advisers Europe, 2023–
  • Member of the Association of Finnish Lawyers
  • Member of International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)  

Professional Background

  • Senior Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2023-
  • Visiting Lawyer, Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg, 2025
  • Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2019

Education

  • Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 2019
  • University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2017

Publications

  • Finnish Venture Capital Association Blog: New Tax Law Welcomes Foreign Investments in Finnish Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds, 2020

Speaking Engagements

  • Hannes Snellman Tax Day, speaker, 2024
  • International Association of Young Lawyers’ seminar “Building a Sustainable Future: Exploring the Intersection of Tax and Real Estate”, speaker, 2024